<p>DD is in need of an interview suit or two. A couple of issues: She has no time for a shopping trip (Her small, college town is no help) and needs to buy separates. Her top and her bottom–whether pants or skirt–are different sizes. I’m looking for online sources for inexpensive suiting separates so I can do the shopping and she can put her focus elsewhere. Suggestions?</p>
<p>Dress barn has some fairly nice business suits that are sold as separate pieces. I had to find a suit recently and looked all over trying to find one. They aren’t dirt cheap, but compared to others in the approximate price range, theirs seemed to be cut much nicer and hang really well. (I tried on some remarkably boxy and dowdy jackets at other places).</p>
<p>You can order online. A hint. If you get their credit card you get a 10% discount on the first purchase. And if you sign up for their texting club you get 20% off one item. made quite a difference on my suit purchase.</p>
<p>Ann Taylor may be a good bet.
[Ann</a> Taylor - AT Suits](<a href=“Women’s Suits & Suit Separates | Ann Taylor”>Women’s Suits & Suit Separates | Ann Taylor)</p>
<p>Also Express
[Women’s</a> Suits: Find Fashion Suits at Express](<a href=“http://www.express.com/suits-703/index.cat]Women’s”>http://www.express.com/suits-703/index.cat)</p>
<p>How “inexpensive” is “inexpensive” for you? DD got her suit separates at Express and they were in the $100 range each…and I think the jacket was on sale.</p>
<p>There is a sale going at Express right now. Basically $15 off of every $60 purchase. ($30 for $120, and so on)
The before-sale prices for jackets are in the $100 - $140 range.
Skirts are $60 - $80
Trousers are $70 - $90.</p>
<p>I will say…the FIT of the suit is extremely important. You may have to buy multiple sizes so she can try them on. My daughter did a lot of her shopping at Express, but the cuts of the jackets in particular, varied and the fit did as well. </p>
<p>Does she have interviews scheduled before the Thanksgiving break? If not, maybe she can do a shopping trip with you then.</p>
<p>You could buy one suit (separate black jacket and black pants) at either Ann Taylor or Banana Republic (both online), and stretch it with shirts that can be worn on different days. I see women do that all the time when they travel. That will allow you to get her one really nice fitting suit that will be usable for several years by just purchasing new shirts/scarves/jewelry, etc.</p>
<p>I don’t know if this would work for you but sometimes I can try on clothes for my Ds and even though we’re not the same size, I can kind of tell whether they will fit them or not. For example, one D is about a size bigger than me so if something is just a little big all over, I know it will fit her. Another is really tall so I always check for longer bodies in tops and long sleeves that practically cover my fingers. If you don’t want to actually buy things and mail them to her, you could at least figure out which brands run small or large by trying some things on yourself. The other thing I do when picking clothes for them is to ask a young saleswoman what she likes. Or in a pinch, I corner a complete stranger in the store and ask for her opinion.</p>
<p>One suggestion- If your D finds a suit she likes buy a 2nd bottom. My D wishes she had bought two pairs of suit pants. The pants ended up getting more wear plus she also lost some weight and her pants ended up no longer fitting as well as she would like. Her suit was from Ann Taylor. She ordered a new pair of pants this year with the saleperson assuring her it was the same color. She found the new pants are not as well cut as the pair she bought last year.
Also I suggest you order from all three. Express, Ann Taylor and Banana Republic as the fit is different from each company. If she finds a fit of a pant that she likes make note of it and when sales come up you can add more pieces. My D has found a need for numerous outfits. Often companies required you to attend an information session the day before interviews. A nice pair of slacks with a blouse and long sleeve cardigan can usually work for this.</p>
<p>Ann Taylor has a 40% off sale going on - become a fan on Facebook and you will get notifications. </p>
<p>I also like the separates from Loft, however they may not be dressy enough.</p>
<p>a tailor may be her friend…fitting well is more important than price, IMO.</p>
<p>I agree mafool, she’s working on finding a tailor, just in case. That’s one thing I can’t help her with! I’m sure we’ll have to try several sizes before finding the right fit…She wants to stick with basic black for obvious reasons. I’m planning to buy a skirt and a pair of pants…Is there a ‘rule’ on which is preferred for interviews?</p>
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<p>I was going to suggest that perhaps you could buy them, and looking at the garment, and the size will give you a head start. Perhaps you can measure something that you know fits and try measuring what you are planning to purchase. Then you can mail it to her. I had to mail my son his suit and sports jacket this year because he forgot to take them to school. I kept them in the plastic from the dry cleaners and put in some light filler so they would not shake around. He said that they arrived without wrinkles! I warned him that if the garments were wrinkled he would need to have them professionally pressed or dry cleaned.</p>
<p>If you do send, and they don’t fit at least you can keep the receipts and perhaps she can bring them home to return over Thanksgiving, or she can mail them back to you for returning.</p>
<p>I’d say the skirt and the pants work equally well for interviews–just wear the piece she is most comfortable in. Vary the tops/accessories and she should have lots of options…</p>
<p>It will neve hurt to have an “extra” black skirt or pants! So versatile!</p>
<p>check out snowflakeVT’s comments on this thread for pertinent, general advice:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1221127-interview-attire-engineers-2.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/1221127-interview-attire-engineers-2.html</a></p>